History of Cape Agulhas

History of Cape Agulhas - Cape Agulhas, South Africa The Complete Guide.
Cape Agulhas is a place of considerable geographic and cultural significance. As well as being the southernmost tip of Africa, it is also the place where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans officially meet. In addition, the area surrounding the cape is a haven for botanists as part of the Cape Floral Kingdom–the smallest (and richest) of six global plant kingdoms. More than 2,000 indigenous plant species grow here, including many different types of coastal fynbos that are found nowhere else on Earth. One hundred and ten Cape Agulhas plant species are rarities listed on the IUCN Red List, while many of them provide food and shelter for a wealth of animal and birdlife. .
People have also left their mark on the Agulhas Plain. Archaeological findings including stone fish traps, hearths, pottery, and shell middens date back to the time of the Khoisan (one of Southern Africa’s oldest indigenous people), while local shipwrecks tell the tale of ill-fated colonial-era exploration. The remnants of many of these wrecks can be viewed at the Shipwreck Museum in the nearby town of Bredasdorp, including artifacts from the HMS Birkenhead whose tragic sinking inspired the nautical code of honor, “women and children first.” The wreck of a Japanese ship, the Meisho Maru 38, is still visible on the Cape Agulhas shoreline. .
As a result of its rich biodiversity and fascinating human history, the area was protected under the auspices of Cape Agulhas National Park in 1998. .